Hinge mechanism for folding table legs

Abstract

A hinge mechanism for folding a table leg against a table top includes a body that is attachable to the table top and that has a cavity formed therein, and a pivot having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connectable to the table leg, the second portion being generally cylindrical and axially displaceable and rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position in the cavity. The second portion of the pivot has a radially protruding first projection and a biasing element that applies a biasing force to urge the pivot in a first direction parallel to the axis of the second portion. Preferably, the cavity includes first and second recesses that receive the first projection when the second portion is displaced in the first direction in the first and second rotational positions, respectively.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hinge mechanism for folding a table leg toward a table top of a table, the mechanism comprising: 
 a body that is attachable to the table top and having a cavity formed therein; and    a pivot having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connectable to the table leg, the second portion being generally cylindrical and axially displaceable and rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position in the cavity, said second portion comprising: 
 a radially protruding first projection; and  
 a biasing element adapted for applying a biasing force to urge said pivot in a first direction parallel to the axis of said second portion, said cavity comprising first and second recesses adapted for receiving said first projection when said second portion is displaced in said first direction in said first and second rotational positions, respectively.  
   
     
     
         2 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of said first projection is such relative to the shape of said first recess that rotation of said second portion is not allowed when said first projection is received in said first recess, and said shape of said first projection is such relative to the shape of said second recess that rotation of said second portion from said second position towards said first position causes said pivot to move in a second direction opposite said first direction against the biasing force of said biasing element.  
     
     
         3 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein said second recess comprises a sloped surface arranged at an angle relative to said first direction, said first projection having a surface portion positioned to glide along said sloped surface when said second portion is displaced in said first direction in said second rotational position.  
     
     
         4 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 3 , wherein said first projection is shaped like a wedge tapering in said first direction to a front edge of said wedge.  
     
     
         5 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 3 , wherein said surface portion is constituted by said front edge.  
     
     
         6 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said biasing element comprises a coil compression spring, said cavity being provided with a first abutment means and said second portion being provided with a second projection, said coil spring being arranged such that one end thereof abuts said abutment means and the other end thereof abuts said second projection.  
     
     
         7 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein said second projection is constituted by at least a portion of an annular circumferential collar.  
     
     
         8 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises a third radially protruding projection, said cavity comprising a third recess that receives said third projection in said first rotational position of said second portion.  
     
     
         9 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 3 , wherein said sloped surface is a surface in said cavity and made of a resilient plastic material.  
     
     
         10 . The mechanism according to  claim 9 , wherein said plastic material includes polyarylamide with glass fibers admixed therein.  
     
     
         11 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein a first stop surface is provided in said cavity for cooperation with a second stop surface of said second portion for determining said second rotational position.  
     
     
         12 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 11 , wherein the position of at least one of said first and second stop surfaces is adjustable for adjusting the location of said second rotational position.  
     
     
         13 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 12 , wherein said first stop surface comprises the end of rotatable element selected from the group consisting of a screw and a bolt.  
     
     
         14 . The hinge mechanism according to  claim 13 , wherein said rotatable element extends from the outer surface of said body such that said rotatable element may be rotated from outside said body.  
     
     
         15 . A hinge mechanism for folding a table leg toward a table top of a table, the mechanism comprising: 
 a pivot attachable to the table leg and pivotably attachable to the table top such that the pivot can rotate between a first position corresponding to the unfolded position of said leg and a second position corresponding to the folded position of said leg;    releasable locking means for releasably locking said pivot in said first position; and    frictional brake means for frictionally retaining said pivot in said second position.    
     
     
         16 . A folding-leg table comprising a hinge mechanism for folding a table leg toward a table top of the table, the mechanism comprising: 
 a pivot attached to the table leg and pivotably attached to the table top such that the pivot can rotate between a first position corresponding to the unfolded position of said leg and a second position corresponding to the folded position of said leg;    releasable locking means for releasably locking said pivot in said first position; and    frictional brake means for frictionally retaining said pivot in said second position.    
     
     
         17 . A folding-leg table comprising a hinge mechanism for folding a table leg towards a table top of the table, the mechanism comprising: 
 a body that is attached to the table top and having a cavity formed therein; and    a pivot having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connected to the table leg, the second portion being generally cylindrical and axially displaceable and rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position in the cavity, said second portion comprising: 
 a radially protruding first projection; and  
 a biasing element adapted for applying a biasing force to urge said pivot in a first direction parallel to the axis of said second portion, said cavity comprising first and second recesses adapted for receiving said first projection when said second portion is displaced in said first direction in said first and second rotational positions, respectively,  
 the shape of said first projection being such relative to the shape of said first recess that rotation of said second portion is not allowed when said first projection is received in said first recess, and said shape of said first projection is such relative to the shape of said second recess that rotation of said second portion from said second position towards said first position causes said pivot to move in a second direction opposite said first direction against the biasing force of said biasing element, and  
 said second recess comprising a sloped surface arranged at an angle relative to said first direction, said first projection having a surface portion positioned to glide along said sloped surface when said second portion is displaced in said first direction in said second rotational position.  
   
     
     
         18 . The table according to  claim 17 , wherein said sloped surface is a surface in said cavity and made of a resilient plastic material.  
     
     
         19 . The table according to  claim 18 , wherein said plastic material includes polyarylamide with glass fibers admixed therein.  
     
     
         20 . The table according to  claim 17 , wherein a first stop surface is provided in said cavity for cooperation with a second stop surface of said second portion for determining said second rotational position.  
     
     
         21 . The table according to  claim 20 , wherein the position of at least one of said first and second stop surfaces is adjustable for adjusting the location of said second rotational position.  
     
     
         22 . The table according to  claim 21 , wherein said first stop surface comprises the end of a rotatable element selected from the group consisting of a screw and a bolt.  
     
     
         23 . The table according to  claim 22 , wherein said rotatable element extends from the outer surface of said body such that said rotatable element may be rotated from outside said body.